Family

Have some rather big news.
When I was a child, I grew up very closely with my 3 cousins (1 girl and 2 boys) and absolutely adored my Uncle who I remember to be the kindest, gentlest man I knew. My cousins were like siblings to myself and my brother which was wonderful.
My mother, being the person she is, wiped them all from our lives and until the past few days, I'd not heard from any of them for over 20 years.
Out of the blue, I received contact from my cousin asking if I would like to get back in touch! A few days and more than a few emails shared between us, she gave me my Uncle and Aunt's email address. I've been emailing them over the past few days as well (where do you start when you're trying to fill in 20 years? Let alone try to find the words to tell them all about the 11 year old great-neice they've never met!)
Tonight, the phone rang and a sweet, soft voice was on the other end asking for me. It was my Uncle. We talked and talked about anything and everything. I finally asked him if he'd like to speak with his great-neice. He got a bit choked up and said "Oh, I'd love to!".
He and my daughter talked for about 1/2 hour sharing their love for cross country running and for german shepherds amongst many other things.
As I don't have any family to speak of down here, they've asked if we'd like to spend Christmas with them this year. They're up in the sunshine coast of QLD which sounds lovely.
I'm almost overwhelmed with the feeling that all of a sudden, I have some family. It chokes me up just thinking about it!
For so many years, my mind and my heart has been conditioned to know that families are for other people. Not me and not my daughter. We've been it.
Now all of a sudden I've got this instant family!
Wanna see them?
This is my Aunt, Uncle and 3 cousins (and the 2 boys' wives). SO happy!